Symptoms of a heart attack

[TexanStar]

thank you very much for this information. i have had what i would call increasing heartburn as i have aged, but this seems largely related to spicy foods: these days spicier food (which i love!) make me need Tums later on if i eat too much. i am not sure i would call this indigestion. indigestion to me means upset tummy, grumbly tummy, gassy maybe? i don't know, these terms seem used ambiguously by some. heartburn to me means a burning esophagus from a spicy food that lingers.

i do thank my sister for calling it to my attention last night that arm tingling especially left arm tingling can be a sign in women of something related to heart attack or heart issues. i had noticed it for a couple days off and on and not in a regular way like i just woke up and was side sleeping on my left arm so it fell asleep. i had no other symptoms, chest pains, any low blood pressure, nothing like that.

Dunno if it will help you at all, but I found that sleep deprivation gives me heartburn like nothing else. As long as I get a full night's rest it tends to not be an issue, but a few late nights in a row and it's tums city.

 

[AlteredEgo]

Me too!

Dunno if it will help you at all, but I found that sleep deprivation gives me heartburn like nothing else. As long as I get a full night's rest it tends to not be an issue, but a few late nights in a row and it's tums city.

 

[SoaringSpirit]

hi ladies, i got in to see my GP at 8 am, she took me right away. it is not a heart attack.

it could be, she said, related to some nerve damage. i do have a pinched nerve in my back which affects my left leg sometimes (a little pain, some tingling in upper thigh). so i might also have some nerve damage affecting my right arm shooting this tingling type sensation down the arm.

she has referred me to a specialist, admonished me for not setting up my well woman exam for this year (i told her it has been a crazy time and that i would set one up next month), and got me a refill on my Symbicort inhaler. I don't need it often but when I do...I need it. I realized a couple weeks ago when I went for it that my prescription had lapsed and my inhaler was pretty much out plus past expiration date.

So, win! Yeah bad on the nerve damage thing but at least not a more serious heart attack and got me to kick my ass in gear for a well woman exam plus new inhaler to have at the ready when in need.

I had no other symptoms (of a heart attack), and it was scary to read that women often experience them much more differently then men and we really need to be aware. Plus that shit runs in my family (heart disease, attacks, a-fib).

I'm very happy you had it checked. I know we all can get busy as heck, but take some time for yourself & feel better -

 

[SoaringSpirit]

@Enid WooHoo. Great news that you are okay all-in-all. I'm glad you were able to get in to see your Doctor on such short notice. She's a keeper, for sure. Hell, I'm glad you went to see the Doctor.

My mother had a heart attack at 66. She got up in the morning, early as usual. Made coffee and then began to feel funny. Decided to lay down on the couch, thinking she needed more sleep. Got real clammy and sweaty. Got up and put a cold rag on her forehead. Did not have any other of the classic symptoms.

Thank goodness my Dad, who never got up before 10am, decided that day to get up earlier than normal for his Doctor's appointment later that day. He found her on the couch. He knew something wasn't right. She did NOT want to go to the Doctor. So, he called me. 1,000 miles away. WTF? I told him to call 911 immediately and get her to the hospital. Regardless of her wishes otherwise. He hemmed and hawed, cuz he didn't want to feel her wrath. Told him to blame me. He did! But, he called 911.

She had a full-blown heart attack in the Emergency Room. She was diagnosed with COPD as well. As part of her recovery, she ended up in a cardiac rehab facility. She was NOT happy. Made sure I knew it. And the entire family made sure she knew she was lucky to be alive. Cuz she was. Her biggest complaint? That she had to quit smoking. A habit she'd had for 52 years! She struggled and struggled, but never completely quit. Nicotine is a cruel master.

Once thing that I remember from the episode almost 30 years ago is that her Doctor told her that it was not unusual for a woman to have a heart attack with nonclassic symptoms, and that a lot of heart attacks occurred early morning, often after a good night's sleep. Especially in women.

Glad you took care to get yourself checked out. Like TnJ said (I think it was her), we know our bodies and know when something ain't right. I'm glad you listened to yourself! Hope you feel better soon.

B-man

 

[918177]

Congrats on not being dead.

 

[SoaringSpirit]

You are so right about women& even men not showing classic symptoms...thx for sharing.

 

[MickeyLee]

The world is a much better place with a healthy, if tingly, Ms. @Enid.

And the thread worked to educate people on the difference between men and women when it comes to heart issues.

All around, a win-win thread!

 

[Tattooed Goddess]

The last gallbladder attack I had I was on the floor in my daughter's room grabbing onto my chest thinking I was dying of a heart attack it was the scariest moment of my life when I was so impaired that I couldn't even call nine-one-one

 

[Enid]

The last gallbladder attack I had I was on the floor in my daughter's room grabbing onto my chest thinking I was dying of a heart attack it was the scariest moment of my life when I was so impaired that I couldn't even call nine-one-one

What happens during a gallbladder attack? Like, a stabbing chest pain? That sounds so scary! To not even be able to dial 911

 

[Enid]

Dunno if it will help you at all, but I found that sleep deprivation gives me heartburn like nothing else. As long as I get a full night's rest it tends to not be an issue, but a few late nights in a row and it's tums city.

Ya know, I've never heard of this. It would potentially make sense though. It is feast or famine wrt sleep for me. I either toss & turn, get very little sleep. Or it takes me forever to fall asleep. OR I sleep 10+ hours. Maybe I should start keeping a sleep/food log. Actually, that's a good idea. Today I felt heartburn in afternoon but I assume because I ate leftover bean & cheese taco with a chipotle ranch sauce (which is deceptively spicy). However, my sleep last night was about 6 hours? Which I think isn't good, I function best on 8 hrs

 

[MickeyLee]

Gallbladder attacks are the suck-a-butt. Much pain. Such Ouch.

Pancreatitis is the most pain I have ever been in my whole life. It made me forget the gallbladder attack. I got pancreatitis from a blocked bile duct cuz I had gallstones. Gallbladder attack feels achy, a lot of pressure and stabby pain on the right side of your body, under ya ribs. At least it did for me. I tried to treat it with diet. Nope. Had to have surgery to remove my gallbladder.

The ER lady freaked out when she saw my blood pressure. Like, nothing over nothing. I couldn't even drive myself to the hospital. I almost dialed 911 but somehow convinced myself I wasn't that bad off. Even though I couldn't drive LOL

They did not let me keep the stones. I wanted to make a bracelet.

 

[halcyondays]

thank you very much for this information. i have had what i would call increasing heartburn as i have aged, but this seems largely related to spicy foods: these days spicier food (which i love!) make me need Tums later on if i eat too much. i am not sure i would call this indigestion. indigestion to me means upset tummy, grumbly tummy, gassy maybe? i don't know, these terms seem used ambiguously by some. heartburn to me means a burning esophagus from a spicy food that lingers.

You're welcome. Yes, indigestion is an ambiguous term. Heartburn could be GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, where the sphincter at the top of the stomach doesn't close or stay closed properly allowing stomach acid to move up the esophagus. People with GERD often feel like they have heartburn every time they eat and for hours after no matter their diet or how little or much they eat. If you have only occasional heartburn from spicy foods/overeating which Tums relieves it's probably not GERD or heart disease.

Mom had heartburn all the time. She ate Tums all the time. But she also had attacks of severe abdominal pain which doubled her over and put her in bed. We're talking upset stomach on steroids. She also had chronic abdominal pain which didn't. In retrospect her GP and cardiologist saw this as referred pain from her hypoxic heart. She assumed it was "indigestion." Her GP did not see it as possible heart disease until it was too late. Stress test/EKG/enzymes confirmed. This is why these symptoms can be so dangerous for women and are missed or ignored by doctors.

The good news in mom's case is that she didn't have an acute MI which is very dangerous and has a high mortality rate. The bad news is that it left her with congestive heart failure for the last decade of her life and terrible angina pectoris.

Anyway I'm glad you saw your GP and had your arm pain checked out.

 

[Tattooed Goddess]

Mickeylee described it well. I had mine removed the following day. Hundreds of stones packed in there in a solid mass. Having had pancreatitis also I can attest to the pain. Very much as painful as the active part of labor.

 

[Enid]

Gallbladder attacks are the suck-a-butt. Much pain. Such Ouch.

Pancreatitis is the most pain I have ever been in my whole life. It made me forget the gallbladder attack. I got pancreatitis from a blocked bile duct cuz I had gallstones. Gallbladder attack feels achy, a lot of pressure and stabby pain on the right side of your body, under ya ribs. At least it did for me. I tried to treat it with diet. Nope. Had to have surgery to remove my gallbladder.

The ER lady freaked out when she saw my blood pressure. Like, nothing over nothing. I couldn't even drive myself to the hospital. I almost dialed 911 but somehow convinced myself I wasn't that bad off. Even though I couldn't drive LOL

They did not let me keep the stones. I wanted to make a bracelet.

Oh my sweethearts. Both you and MR (@Tattooed Goddess). I can't even believe. I am so happy you are both here.

Little sadder, knowing my last black kitty died from complications arising from pancreatitis. God she must have been in so much pain in the day it took me to decide...wait, do I pay a couple grand to get her pancreas removed or what (no guarantee!).

It sounds terrible!!

One day in my fantasy we all on a beach somewhere in our bikinis and big floppy hats with tons of SPF and blue peaceful water as far as eye can see with our tropical drinks and cool snacks

 

[SoaringSpirit]

Gallbladder attacks are the suck-a-butt. Much pain. Such Ouch.

Pancreatitis is the most pain I have ever been in my whole life. It made me forget the gallbladder attack. I got pancreatitis from a blocked bile duct cuz I had gallstones. Gallbladder attack feels achy, a lot of pressure and stabby pain on the right side of your body, under ya ribs. At least it did for me. I tried to treat it with diet. Nope. Had to have surgery to remove my gallbladder.

The ER lady freaked out when she saw my blood pressure. Like, nothing over nothing. I couldn't even drive myself to the hospital. I almost dialed 911 but somehow convinced myself I wasn't that bad off. Even though I couldn't drive LOL

They did not let me keep the stones. I wanted to make a bracelet.

I'm so glad your ok. My son had pancreatitis, it was the most horrible pain & week in the hospital.

Gallbladder is a close 2nd, my father, uncle, brother had attacks & had them removed. I stay away from the junk.

For me one of the worst pains ive had is my back going out, but actually having food poisoning when a teen...this from a " five-star resturant"....3 weeks of intense pain & hell.

Enid take better care & try to watch what you eat. Even if you take small steps, it helps....sleep is important as well.
Been there with hardly any & then my body says....hey I'm wiped...so you are getting rest !
Time to get some now

 

[1209489]

My Dad died of a heart attack at 50. My family has a history of heart disease, so it’s always been in the back of my mind.

 

[EllieP]

I'm so glad you're OK, Enid! That's so scary.

I was just talking with hubby the other day about seemingly healthy people who suddenly drop dead of a heart attack. I wondered how many people ignored symptoms for days or weeks before that and never told a soul.

I berated my husband for doing something like that a while back. I saw him wince and asked him what was wrong. He said he had a pain near his shoulder. I asked him when it started, and he said last week. I told him if the heart attack didn't kill I would!

He saw the doctor and he had bruised his shoulder blade or some such. When I asked him if he was all right he said he was relieved. I was so mad!!!! He was worried but didn't want to worry me!

I just wanted to tell all of you that so that when I appear on national news in handcuffs you'll know why.

 

[chicagosam]

Congrats on not being dead.

A bit brutal; but, been there, done it.

@Enid Just caught this. I’m so glad you got checked out and are OK. With the amount of stress you’ve been under, I’m not surprised. Continue to monitor how you feel and do not hesitate to seek medical attention.

I surprised everyone while visiting at a hospital. Collapsed in the hall, came to surrounded by medical staff—embarrassing, was asked to consider letting them check me out—begrudgingly agreed, got off the floor and started to sit down on a wheel chair, and...[cut to black]...I have no memory after that until I realize I am in ER. Surprise! Heart attack, Code Blue. Triple bypass. Other than being under high stress—bookend deaths of loved ones, caretaking, and working all the time, I had no symptoms. I shouldn’t he here. I just happen to have been at the right place at the right time.

So...my unsolicited advice from the been there done it world: Slow down, Breathe. Be very, very good to yourself. The world needs a good-hearted soul like yourself around for a very very long time.

 

[LaFemme]

Well, I learned this spring not to wait to visit the ER. Not a heart attack, but an infection that nearly took me out. A few hours away from a LaFemme free world. Kind of a sobering thought for me, although a few people here might think that’s cool.

Anyway, I learned I shouldn’t tough it out. If something feels odd, get it checked out ASAP. No need to play hero with your health.

 

[AlteredEgo]

I just want to emphasize that though pain in the left arm is a more typical symptom of a heart attack, that symptom can present on the right side, and should not be ignored if it does. In my family, the pain presents on the right side, and is accompanied by a sensation of something heavy resting on the chest. I have heard of stories that didn't end well, ignoring the arm pain because it was on the "wrong" side.